Anyone who hasn’t gone through pregnancy or labor and delivery might be scratching their heads when it comes to trying to find the perfect and most thoughtful gift for a new mom, especially a mom in her fourth trimester, aka the postpartum period. In this blog post we’ll be diving into how to find the right gift to give a new or expecting mom.
First, there is no such thing as the perfect gift. The early days of parenthood, especially for new parents, can be a rocky transition and what is needed most is something that will ease that transition for them, especially parents of multiple children.
Second, adjusting to motherhood or parenthood isn’t as easy as the mom next door makes it seem. The first month or two after giving birth is the best time to lend a helping hand to new moms/new parents. Not every parent has a supportive and willing-to-help family nearby.
Preparing To Help After Baby’s Arrival
Please keep in mind that a gift should not be used as a way to see the newborn baby before the parents or new mom express their readiness for visitors. The First Forty Days by Heng Ou is a great read for new or expecting mothers, and for family and friends who want to help during the 12 weeks after birth.
How can I help a new mom?
The best way to pamper a new mom or new parents during this transition of welcoming a child into their life, is through providing nourishing nutrient dense food and helping with their house load. Simply put, the best gift is your time. Here is a small list of ways you can help new parents in this season:
1. Drop off fresh homemade meals for a day or a week.
Typically warm meals with a veggie based side and a sweet treat for dessert are best. You could even set up a meal train.
In order to set up a meal train for mom and dad, create a schedule with close friends and family to drop off home cooked meals, for specific days, during the first month or two. Be sure to share this schedule with the expecting parents so they are aware.
2. Order delivery, or send a home cooked meal, right to their door.
Again, keep in mind a new mother needs nourishing and nutritious food especially if she is breastfeeding. If you’re not sure what to order, ask! If a meal train is set up, be sure to coordinate with that schedule and the meals already being delivered or made.
3. Stop by their house to help clean.
Between managing the needs of a new baby, physical recovery and trying to take care of herself, the last thing a new mother has time for or wants to think about is cleaning her home. Whether it’s the dishes, cleaning the floors, or taking care of the laundry, take an hour or two out of your week to help lessen the load of maintaining a home, for postpartum mothers/first-time parents with a newborn.
4. Give her time for self-care.
First-time moms most likely don’t have a routine or schedule yet which makes it hard to squeeze in some self-care time. And this may be the only time that holding the baby is acceptable when visiting a freshly postpartum mom. While you’re holding the baby, mama can take a warm bath, eat a warm meal or take a nap to catch up on much needed sleep.
5. Pray for the new mom or new parents.
If you don’t have the time or money to spend, a prayer costs absolutely nothing. Here is an example of a prayer for this season:
“Father, thank you for the blessing of new life that you’ve entrusted with *mom’s name* and *dad’s name*. As they welcome their child into the world, please prepare their hearts and their home for parenthood. May their love for each other grow stronger and may they lean on you for rest and strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Best Gift Ideas for New Moms
If you don’t have the time to give, the next best thing is a thoughtful gift or two. Save the gift guides below for later or share with a friend!
Best Postpartum Gifts For Comfort & Recovery
1. Meal Delivery Service or Gift Card.
The next best thing to a homemade meal is warm nutritious takeout meal from one of their favorite restaurants. There are many ways to go about delivering fresh meals to new parents, some examples are: gifting them a gift card to order food themselves, ordering delivery for them, or signing them up for a meal delivery service for the first couple of months (like Blue Apron).
2. Comfy Pajama Set or Cozy Robe.
This is a great comfort gift for new mamas postpartum, because the last thing they want is to wear a pair of jeans and a clingy bodysuit.
See Oprah’s Favorites here for a list of high-end pajama sets.
For cozy and beautiful maternity robes, check out Caden Lane.
For affordable, cozy, and beautiful pajama sets see some options from Target here.
3. Postpartum Cart.
This thoughtful gift has three tiers consisting of breastfeeding and newborn essentials and can be easily moved around for convenience.
The top tier should consist of items that are important or most needed if new mom is choosing to breastfeed. Some items that could be included are: nipple balm, a new water bottle, haaka and some of her favorite snacks. The second tier should include items for baby, including: muslin cloths, a pacifier, plain onesies and a baby book. The third tier should include diaper changing essentials, such as: size one diapers, a couple of packs of wipes, and diaper cream.
4. Postpartum Recovery Kit.
This could be a small shower caddy or gift box that you put together yourself, or it could be something you buy online that has most of what the new mom needs to recover.
If you choose to put together a recovery kit, don’t forget to include: witch hazel pads or cream, postpartum pads, stool softener, peri bottle or a bidet and epsom salts.
If you’d rather outsource the work and purchase a postpartum gift basket that is already put together, here are a few new-mom favorites:
Earth Mama, Postpartum Recovery & Breastfeeding Gift Box
We Are Amma, You Did It Mama Kit
Bodily, Care For Birth Box
Bodily, C-Section Recovery Essentials Kit
Nurtured 9, The Soothing Recovery Postpartum Gift Box
Gifts For Entertainment & Relaxation
5. Daily Devotional.
Learning to find time to spend in the word, with Jesus, in the beginning season as a new mama can be very difficult. One of the best ways to encourage her to find a new rhythm can be with a devotional. It provides some structure and gives her the ability to study the word, without overthinking it. You can find daily devotionals at your local Target or Amazon.
6. Books.
The most amount of time spent in the first couple of months will be for rest and recovery for the new mama, especially since the baby will be spending most of that time sleeping. If you know the new mother well you could gift her something to keep her entertained in those moments of rest, like a good fiction or non-fiction read.
7. Postpartum Care Package.
This includes food, favorite wine or spritzer and some self care goodies. Similar to a care package you would send to a loved one who is far from home, you can fill up a box or gift bag with some of new mama’s favorite things! Below is a box I put together for an expecting mom that includes: favorite ground coffee (you could also include herbal tea), gift card for coffee, lip balm, hair ties and luxury hair products, and soothing skincare or beauty products.
8. Gift Certificate.
Whether it’s for a date night or some self-care time, for example a pedicure or massage, this gift will go a long way. The new mom can enjoy the services of this gift certificate now or a little later when she feels ready to leave her baby for an hour or two.
9. At Home Spa Day.
What is the best way for a new mom to relax? Something that doesn’t involve leaving the house! To create an at home spa day, you could put together a box or bag, similar to the postpartum care package. This would be filled with a few luxury skincare and haircare products that will provide her with a luxurious and soothing spa experience at home. You could even spend some time with her and make it a fun day, or include hubby to treat his deserving wife to a luxury spa day at home.
Some items to create a spa day at home could be: a non-toxic scented handle, cozy robe and headband, foot bath with epsom salts, foot file, foot scrub, moisturizing lotion or oil, face mask, hair mask and/or a lip balm.
10. Date Night.
Not every parent is ready for a night away from their newborn, but when they express that they are (and they will definitely need a night of romance within the first year), an offer to take good care of their baby goes a long way. You could even arrange their date night. Maybe that looks like teaming up with friends and family to get them out of the house and taking care of the baby. Or, arranging an at-home dinner and movie. Or, making reservations at their favorite restaurant.
Gifts For Mom & Baby
11. Baby Carrier.
Mom and dad will most likely be spending the majority of their days holding their newborn baby. Why is a baby carrier is a great gift for new parents in those early postpartum days? Because they’ll be able to carry baby around and still be able to use their hands and get things done.
- Infantino 4-in-1 Baby Carrier is one of the most affordable and holds newborns and babies weighing 8 lbs. up to 32 lbs. It’s also great because mom or dad can carry the baby in four different positions.
- Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier is a higher-end carrier. Similar to the Infantino, it allows mom to carry newborns and babies from 7-45 pounds in multiple positions. And here’s a bonus: when baby grows into toddler, their parents are able to carry them on the hip using this Ergobaby carrier.
- Solly Baby Wraps have less structure to them, as opposed to a regular baby carrier, and are made of breathable, buttery-soft fabric.
- Wildbird Sling Wraps are beautifully designed, and are sling carriers that can hold babies who weigh up to 35 pounds.
- Baby Bjorn Carriers are also a favorite among parents for how soft and cozy it feels. This carrier holds babies who weight up to 24 pounds and in three different positions.
12. Play Kit Monthly Subscription.
What do parents do all day with their newborn? Play! A monthly subscription is a great gift for new mothers and newborn babies. Monthly play kits like KiwiCo and Lovevery deliver age-based developmental toys and books for newborns, babies, toddlers and young children. These are monthly paid subscriptions that are delivered straight to the parents’ door.
Play kits are great because they provide age appropriate activities and toys for children, that parents don’t have to spend so much time thinking about!
13. Postpartum Doula.
The American Pregnancy Association defines a postpartum doula as such:
“A postpartum doula provides evidenced-based information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother-baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care. Research shows that moms, dads, and babies have an easier time with this transition if a good support team is in place.“
If you can afford to hire a postpartum doula (typically $15-$50 per hour) for the first couple of weeks or even the first month after baby is born, this will surely help the new parents ease into the transition of parenthood and reduce the amount of sleepless nights. If you need help finding this specialized doula, you can ask around in Facebook groups, do a quick Google search or ask a childbirth educator near you.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding the perfect meaningful gift for a new or expecting mom there is no one size fits all. The best gifts you can give a new mom are your time and support. For long-distance support, maybe that is a phone call to ask how she’s doing or ordering delivery to go straight to her door. Or, you can dedicate a few hours to help around the house or make sure mama is getting some rest.
Choosing the right gift for a new or postpartum mom is more than just finding something she needs; it’s about showing support, understanding, and love during one of the most beautiful yet challenging seasons of her life. Thoughtful gifts remind her she’s seen, appreciated, and not alone. As you consider the perfect gift, remember that the most meaningful ones come from the heart. May your generosity bless her and serve as a reminder of God’s endless love and care. Thank you for reading, and happy giving!
What Would You Give?
There are many ways you can help to support new mothers and fathers as they adjust to life with a newborn. And while this list is not extensive, I hope it has been helpful and inspiring to you when it comes to gifting the mom-to-be! I’d love to hear in the comments below: what is something else you would add to this list?
If you found this helpful, share with a friend.
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